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Report: Monte Kiffin hired as Cowboys defensive coordinator

Monte Kiffin has agreed to become the Cowboys' defensive coordinator, according to reports. (Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)

Monte Kiffin has reached an agreement to become the new defensive coordinator for teh Dallas Cowboys, according to a tweet by ESPN's Ed Werder Friday afternoon. Kiffin has been the defensive coordinator at the University of Southern California where his sone Lane is head coach, but resigned citing a desire to return to the NFL.

Kiffin, 72, served as an assistant coach or coordinator for 25 years in the NFL between 1983 and 2008 when he left to work with his son at the University of Tennessee. His most famous NFL job was as defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he is credited with the invention of the "Tampa Two" style of defense.

According to another ESPN report, Kiffin's hire would switch the Cowboys defensive scheme to a 4-3 from its current 3-4, with DeMarcus Ware slated to move to defensive end for the first time in his career.